Julian Woods has stood by his latest skit after a video mocking the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York went viral and prompted widespread online criticism.
The comedian, often described as ‘Australia’s king of dark comedy’, told the Daily Mail that provoking discomfort is central to his act and that he does not consider any subject off limits.
In the controversial clip, posted to his Instagram account on Friday, Woods approaches a stranger seated on a public bench, makes a joke about the World Trade Centre and reveals a fake bomb. His page has 439,000 followers.
‘I love making people laugh and then watching them try and shove the laughs back in,’ Woods said on Monday.
‘I joke about what’s wrong because I know what’s right. I like to make people laugh then feel bad about it after.’
Woods said several followers had claimed they would unfollow him because of the 9/11 skit, but he had not seen any noticeable decline in his Instagram audience.
Julian Woods has doubled down after his latest skit, which mocks the September 11 terrorist attack, went viral online and sparked widespread backlash. Pictured with Bonnie Blue
‘I didn’t notice anything at all, and I wouldn’t care if they did. I’m not here to please everyone,’ he said.
‘I definitely didn’t miss the mark. People are allowed to not like jokes. As Ricky Gervais once said, just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right.
‘Those people who threatened to unfollow me most likely followed me by laughing at a joke about another sensitive topic. Good logic.’
The social media prankster also made headlines when he was arrested at a Bali film studio in December, alongside British porn star Bonnie Blue.
He was accused of flouting Indonesia’s strict morality laws in a porn probe – but Woods has insisted that he did not break the law, nor film any porn scenes with Blue.
However, he hinted that he and the adult content creator, who welcomed her first child in August, are a little more than friends.
Blue, whose real name is Tia Billinger, has not revealed who fathered her baby, and conspiracy theories have spread online alleging the baby isn’t real, but rather another stunt from the notorious agitator.
‘Of course the baby is real,’ Woods said, before suggesting that he could be the father of the newborn.
In the video, shared on Friday on his Instagram page where he has 439,000 followers, Woods is seen approaching a stranger sitting on a public bench before cracking a joke about the World Trade Centre and flashing a fake bomb
‘A bit scary though, roughly nine months from when we were in Bali?! I should change my name to Clyde by the sounds of it,’ he said.
Woods was never formally charged after his arrest with Blue, and was released from custody eight days later.
The pair did work together – but only on comedy skits, Woods told the Daily Mail.
‘We spoke about creating skits a few years ago when she first started ruffling feathers on the Gold Coast, we didn’t end up meeting until I was on tour in the UK where we filmed a few comedy skits,’ he said.
‘We stayed in touch, I helped write some jokes for her videos and appearances and we’ve caught up at Coachella and Bali to make skits.’
The stand-up comedian likewise had tongues wagging in July, when he was seen on a night out with Big Brother Australia star Skye Wheatley after she ended her relationship with longtime partner Lachlan Waugh.
The pair were spotted together in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, but never addressed rumours of a romance.
Woods would not confirm or deny that the pair were entwined, instead poking fun at Wheatley’s recent drink driving conviction.
The social media prankster also made headlines when he was arrested at a Bali film studio in December, alongside British porn star Bonnie Blue. He has hinted that he may have fathered her child (pictured)
Blue, whose real name is Tia Billinger, has not revealed who fathered her baby, and conspiracy theories have spread online alleging the baby isn’t real, but rather another stunt from the notorious agitator
‘I was teaching her how to drive. Turns out I failed on that one,’ he said.
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Woods has been the talk of social media this past week, after his 9/11 skit went viral.
In the clip, he approaches an elderly man and pokes fun at the terrorist attack.
‘Excuse me… if science has flown us to the moon, where has religion flown us?’ he asked the confused older man.
‘Into the twin towers!’ Woods continued, delivering the punchline.
He then opened his jacket to reveal a fake bomb strapped to his chest.
‘It’s actually the 25th anniversary of 9/11 today. Did you know that? Well, I’m not a scientist but I am religious…’ Woods said while displaying the ‘bomb’.
The frightened man scrambled from his seat and ran away as Woods began a countdown from ten.
‘Never Forget. 25th anniversary!’ Woods wrote in his caption, alongside a plane emoji.
The stunt received very mixed reviews, with many social media users in the comments section expressing their distaste, calling the skit ‘vile’ and ‘tasteless’.
The stand-up comedian had tongues wagging in July, when he was seen on a night out with Big Brother Australia star Skye Wheatley (pictured) after she ended her relationship with longtime partner Lachlan Waugh
‘Stop making jokes about 9/11. I lost my uncle on that day,’ wrote one person, while another said: ‘Do you really think that is funny?!!’
Someone else commented: ‘I have good humor, and some 9/11 humor is funny if made appropriately, but this isn’t funny.’
‘Have some f***ing respect,’ wrote one angry person, while another chimed in: ‘Not cool. This is why the world’s corrupt.’
Some of the comedian’s fans insisted the joke had gone too far, with some even unfollowing Woods’ Instagram account in protest.
‘Wow! I have no words. Love your stuff usually Julian, but you went a step too far on this one I’m afraid. Not offended, just shocked,’ said one fan.
Others were amused by Woods’ dark humour and felt that some were taking the gag too seriously.
Despite frequently finding himself at the centre of criticism – including attracting negative headlines and angering social media users over a gory miscarriage skit earlier this year – Woods says his family and friends support his career
‘This is brilliant,’ wrote one person, while another called Woods a ‘legend’.
One fan wrote: ‘Follow a dark humour page, then whinge about dark humour. Imagine that! Lighten up.’
Woods is well known for his ‘edgy’ comedy, having embarked on his Cancel Me World Tour last year.
Despite frequently finding himself at the centre of criticism – including attracting negative headlines and angering social media users over a gory miscarriage skit earlier this year – Woods says his family and friends support his career.
‘My family enjoy the presents I buy them with the money I make from comedy too much, I don’t think they’d say anything unless the gifts started slowing down,’ he said.
‘In regards to relationships, I don’t think I’d let someone progress past the dinner stage if they had a problem with my work or content.
‘They don’t need to find what I joke about funny, but they’d need to at least have a big enough brain to understand what a comedian’s job is.’
Woods says he will not be silenced or discouraged no matter how much anger he inspires, and, in addition to planning a new tour across Australia, the UK, Europe and America, he is also ‘in talks with a few streaming platforms’.
The funnyman hopes to reach the heights of fame previously achieved by another boundary-pushing Australian comedian, Chris Lilley.
‘I’m coming to avenge the cancellation of Chris Lilley,’ he said. ‘That’ll be fun.’